Fernhill House’s activity programme helps improve wellbeing

NHS advice on
keeping healthy for over 65s is being embraced by Fernhill House.

And the latest proof
of the efficacy of an active lifestyle is the media stardom of its 94-year-old
resident turned specialist activity adviser.

Lifelong keep fit
enthusiast Marian Hill, who enjoyed her fifteen minutes of fame on a recent BBC
Hereford and Worcester broadcast about the home, recently became the oldest
person in the country to join a team of staff to help run regular Seated
Physical Activity sessions for her fellow residents.

The sessions are aimed at enabling
participants
to become more physically active, maintain mobility and prolong independence
and can
make a real difference to their ability to perform everyday activities such as
getting dressed, brushing their hair, lifting a cup or simply moving about.

More vigorous activities are also on offer at Fernhill House – with the
aim of enabling residents to have fun as well as keep fit. A weekly exercise class helps keep the brain as well as the body
active, alternative treatments such as sound therapy and reiki provide mental
and emotional relaxation, crafts fire the imagination and get the fingers
moving and the brain is stimulated with quizzes and games.

Fernhill House
also has a sensory garden within its two acre grounds and grows plenty of
wholesome veg – and residents are encouraged to help out with planting,
harvesting and watering. An indoor potting shed helps keep brain and fingers
nimble.
Recent weeks have seen
musicians, celebrity speakers from Radio 4 and a small menagerie of animals
visit the home.

Numerous reports highlight
the benefits of regular physical activity in older age, which can help maintain
bone mass; improve sleep, balance, mental ability and circulation; strengthen
muscles; reduce the risk of dementia; increase happiness; reduce aches and
pains and help the participant live longer.

“Evidence shows that there is a link between being
physically active and good mental wellbeing. It can help people with mild depression, and evidence shows that it
can also help protect people against anxiety. It is thought to cause
chemical changes in the brain, which can help to positively change our mood. Some
scientists think that being active can improve wellbeing because it brings
about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a
challenge,” it says.

Over 65s who are generally
fit and have no mobility limiting health conditions are advised by the NHS to do at least 150 minutes
of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or walking every
week or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, alongside
strength exercises on two or more days a week which
work all the major muscles - legs, hips, back, abdomen,
chest, shoulders and arms.

Older people are also advised
to break up long periods of sitting with light activity, as sedentary behaviour
is now considered an independent risk factor for ill health.
Older adults at risk of
falls are advised to do exercises to improve balance and co-ordination on at
least two days a week. Examples include yoga, tai chi and dancing.